I have been serving in Guyana as a volunteer at Mercy Wings Academic Foundation, originally a trade school that has now transitioned into secondary education. I support students from Pre-7th grade to 10th grade (in Guyana, these are called Pre-Form 1 and Form 4, respectively). Often the students come from low income households seeking a more affordable education, as public schooling in Guyana can be very expensive. The school itself serves a low income area of Guyana called Sophia, with many students coming from the neighborhood.

One major aspect of this transition has been determining what exactly is wanted for the school. The first month of this experience was chaotic, to say the least. I remember walking in and having no idea what I was teaching or at what grade level. Furthermore, the schedule itself was constantly in flux during the first week alone. In some ways, this was incredibly nerve wracking, especially since I was late for the first day due to taxi issues. Once getting to the school, it became even more chaotic as my classes hadn’t been set in stone yet. Even though the whole situation was incredibly stressful, it led to a fun opportunity to just be with the students and enjoy some time talking with them. 

Once the chaos of the first couple of weeks ended, other challenges came about. The students come from different academic backgrounds. For example, in my math class, I have students where I can put a problem on the board and they need minimal guidance, while others struggle with basic addition. These academic challenges can be daunting, especially when others in the class are needing help with similar or different issues. However, this challenge is what makes teaching so exciting as you experience the excitement of seeing a student connect the dots and finally understand the material you have been covering with them. Teaching the students has been a learning experience for me as I learn more about Guyanese culture, and for them when they ask me questions about America (my favorite question so far has been; “Do rich households pass out IPhones on Halloween?”).

The staff at Mercy Wings has been incredibly helpful and supportive. They often answer my questions or offer advice regarding class materials, school expectations, and how to best support students academically. The staff has also helped me with understanding Guyanese culture and food. For example, Sir Niall invited Miceala, my community member, and I to join him and his family for the Diwali celebration parade. Without the support of the teachers and staff, I would definitely have struggled so much working as a teacher. 

There are few times in your life where you can be a part of building something from the ground up. Mercy Wings is one of those rare times where I feel I can help support the building of something new. Working at Mercy Wings has allowed me to give back to those I work with and support; while also allowing me the opportunity to become more immersed in Guyanese culture. It has opened up new possibilities for me that I previously had not experienced.

Maxwell Laine: Georgetown, South America